The International Olympic Committee has signed agreements with ESSA and the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS) to safeguard the integrity of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

Sports betting integrity body ESSA and GLMS, which helps lotteries combat sports-related corruption, will work together to detect and prevent any manipulation of competitions.

They will both actively support the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) during the Olympic Winter Games, which began last Friday and ends on February 25th.

GLMS will also provide a betting analyst to work at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in order to ensure that betting patterns in relation to the Olympic events are effectively monitored to detect and prevent any potential risks.

“Safeguarding the integrity of the Games is of paramount importance for the International Olympic Committee,” said Friedrich Martens, head of the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions. “In order to achieve this we need the experience, expertise and intelligence from all operators and stakeholders involved.”

GLMS president Ludovico Calvi said: “The Olympics have always been a source of inspiration for all mankind, and this is particularly true this year.

“We are pleased and proud that the GLMS will be again contributing and supporting the IOC and specifically the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions and safeguarding this unique power of the Olympics to bring the world together and promote sport values.”

ESSA secretary general Khalid Ali added: “This collaboration between ESSA and the IOC demonstrates the depth of trust and respect that has been built between us over a number of years.

“It also highlights our shared ambition to drive corruption out of sport and regulated betting markets. The integrity of the Games will undoubtedly be enhanced as a result of this partnership.”